MEMBER NEWS

Podcast: Rural Policy Advocacy & Voice

Listen to Joyce Parker, Ann Williams Cass, and Earl Tulley discuss strategies and case studies for organizing and building voice and power across rural communities.

As part of our ongoing series of virtual exchanges, Equal Voice Action hosted a discussion to explore how our members and allies in rural communities can organize, amplify our voices, and build power for effective policy change across the local, state, and federal levels.

Moderated by Joyce Parker, Co-Founder and Director of Citizens for a Better Greenville and Network Weaver for the Mississippi Equal Voice Network, the panel included Ann Williams Cass, Executive Director of Proyecto Azteca, and Earl Tulley, Co-Founder and Vice President of the Board of Directors of Diné CARE.

Panelists drew on their significant expertise in community and economic development, environmental justice, racial equity advocacy, and other key areas to share powerful stories, case studies, and strategies for:

attending to and amplifying community voices across rural areas;

connecting community residents with local and regional leaders and policymakers;

drawing on local culture, traditions, and resources to harness strengths and meet community needs;

building cross-community coalitions to wield greater policy influence; and more.

Watch the full discussion using the media player above, or listen to the podcast by using the audio player below or by visiting the Radio EVA podcast on iTunes.

Looking for more information on this topic?

Learn more about Diné CARE’s work across Navajo Nation and beyond through the following resources:

New Mexico Water Protectors at Standing Rock, a short documentary film by Tony Estrada of Wild Horse Films, highlights the participation of Diné CARE members in supporting the Standing Rock Sioux against the Dakota Access Pipeline

Summary of Energy and Economic Alternatives to the Desert Rock Energy Project, a study on alternative, sustainable energy development in Navajo Nation, exemplifies the environmental justice advocacy work conducted by Diné CARE

Action on Persistent Poverty and Rural Inequality, an article by R. Scott McReynolds and Ann Williams Cass, discusses how rural communities can address persistent poverty and inequality by activating community voices, expanding access to affordable housing, and building the capacity of nonprofits and local government agencies to support community-driven development

Connect with Citizens for a Better Greenville, Southern Echo, and other partners in the Mississippi Equal Voice Network (formerly known as the Mississippi Delta Catalyst Roundtable) to learn more about their work in advocating for and advancing equitable educational policy, and related efforts, in the Mississippi Delta Region

Are there topics you’d like to see covered in an Equal Voice Action virtual discussion? Sends your requests to equalvoice@equalvoiceaction.com and stay tuned for future discussions.